New Delhi, April 20 (ANI): Charkha Development Communication Network, a non-governmental organization, has won a special award for "Best Feature Service" (Gender Issues) under the UNFPA-Laadli Media Awards for Gender Sensitivity 2009-10 (Northern and Eastern Region).

The organization has been connecting issues of the rural marginalized communities to the media for last 15 years,Instituted by Population First, the award acknowledges and highlights the commendable efforts made by media in providing gender just perspective, portrayals and analysis.

The categories cover Print, Electronic and Web Media.

The award recognizes efforts of Charkha's Trilingual Feature Service in Hindi, English and Urdu to provide journalistic focus on a variety of gender issues across states in multiple languages.

Amongst the winners are writers from its Charkha's network mainly from J and K, an area of conflict where writings on developmental issues have been generated.

Deepika Thussoo's article on the Jihadis abducting and raping young girls in Jammu has bagged the "Best Opinion -Editorial (English).

Nusrat Ara has been selected for the "Best News Feature (Urdu) for her article " Kashmir ki Rubina Tabassum" on a young woman entrprenueur breaking out of a male-dominated society. Afsana Rashid has been awarded "Best Web Articles (English) for her continued portrayal of women affected by the armed conflict in Kashmir.

In addition to the recognition given to its writers, a member of Charkha's own editorial team, Mohmmad Anis ur Rehman, Editor, Urdu Features has received the "Best Opinion-Editorial for his article " Khwateen Aur Unke Ikhtiyarat" that lauds the positive role of women as the foundation of a healthy society and questions the discriminatory treatment meted out within heir homes and in society at large.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan presented the awards at a special function held at Bhopal. (ANI)